Captain Takeda scanned the line of potential students as they marched toward the Imperial Academy. It had been three days since Lieutenant Kim took the new ranger recruits south, while Takeda himself led this batch of students to the capital. As he looked over the young faces, he couldn’t help but speculate: would one of them be his ticket to promotion? A high-potential recruit could catapult a scout to higher ranks, especially if the academy’s elite saw promise in them. The academy’s reach extended deep within the Imperial Army, since its warriors were known for their prowess and dedication to Kuro.
So far, none of these youths appeared particularly exceptional, though he had to admit, they were better than most he’d seen. Raised in a harsh, isolated region without the luxuries of the cities, they had an edge, an endurance that would suit them well as soldiers if nothing else. Yet, as much as he tried, he hadn’t sensed even a glimmer of magical potential in any of them. That was disappointing, to say the least.
In Kuro, wielding magic wasn’t a matter of study alone; it required a blessing from one of the gods. Such blessings could occur at any time in life but were most common at birth or by age ten. Both major and minor deities granted these blessings, hoping that their chosen would gain renown and attract new worshippers.
Captain Takeda hadn’t been blessed, a fact he’d long accepted. It had only spurred him to master martial arts, cultivating himself as a warrior and swordsman renowned among his peers. But his ambitions didn’t end with skill alone. A promotion meant more influence, and eventually, he hoped, a small territory or even a hereditary title within the Empire. Yet, despite all the searching he’d done, he’d yet to discover any raw talent among this group. Takeda let out a defeated sigh as the caravan marched along.
That’s when he noticed her.
Off to the side was a girl with ice-blue eyes and midnight-black hair pulled neatly into a ponytail. She wore a simple green hide tunic and handmade leather shoes, evidence of her rural origins. Takeda’s heart raced. The blue eyes—often seen as cursed—didn’t bother him. If anything, they signaled potential. He felt an aura around her that he hadn’t seen in any of the others.
Takeda wasn’t fond of the blue-eyed folk, like most of Kuro’s citizens, but their reputation for magic aptitude was well-known. Here, finally, was his dark horse. “Girl!” he called, unable to keep the excitement from his voice. The young girl looked over, her piercing blue eyes meeting his.
“Come here,” he commanded, watching her cautiously approach.
“Y-yes, Lord Takeda?” she stammered, glancing up at him uncertainly.
Lord? It amused him to hear her address him so formally. He guessed he must seem like one to a village child. “What’s your name?” he asked, his tone softer than usual.
“Seito Mei, my lord,” she replied, her gaze unflinching, though her hands trembled slightly.
Takeda felt a thrill. “I want you to ride at the front wagon with my footmen. Understand?”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Mei nodded and bowed before making her way to the lead wagon. As she walked away, Takeda observed her with satisfaction. Blue eyes aside, she was a remarkable girl. In the academy, beauty could grant a young recruit power, often leading to strategic marriages and alliances. He shook his head, clearing the thought. The journey to the capital awaited.
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Rokuro trudged alongside the other village men, their steps in unison as they marched southward away from Naebashi and towards Saeyabi, the nearest city which was near the frontlines of the conflict between Kuro and their foe to the south Kalaminra. From there, they would train before joining the main forces gathering in the south. As he looked back, he thought about his family. Surviving this war was his only goal, and he was determined to return home.
Years before, Rokuro had led a different life, one of danger and recklessness. But meeting his wife had changed everything. He left behind the life of a brigand and became a huntsman, a peaceful man dedicated to his family. Violence was no longer in his heart, only a fierce commitment to return.
Knowing he’d be part of the ranger division brought him some relief. Rangers often operated independently, trained to survive even in the harshest conditions. He murmured a promise to himself, “I’ll come back to you both,” feeling the grasslands’ steady breeze as they traveled.
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On the distant horizon, the spires of Ei'en, the Imperial capital of the Kuro Empire, began to pierce the sky like needles threading the heavens. As Mei and the company neared the city, she felt her heart race. She’d never seen anything like this sprawling, bustling metropolis. The city was nestled beside a green mountain range that stretched southward, marking the empire’s vast expanse.
Despite missing her parents, excitement overcame her as she took in the sights and sounds of the capital. Stories she had heard back in Naebashi had not prepared her for this. Entering through one of the towering gates, Takeda flashed his badge, and the guards waved them through. The gate alone was twenty feet high, large enough for four wagons to enter side by side. The sheer scale of it all struck Mei as a display of immense power.
Inside, the noise was overwhelming. Blacksmiths’ hammers rang out, vendors shouted, and crowds bustled about, their voices blending into a chaotic hum. Mei was used to the haunting silence of her village, broken only by the rustling trees. Here, the air buzzed with activity.
As they moved deeper into the city, they came to a grand complex encircled by white stone walls bearing the symbol of a phoenix. The walls, while less imposing than the city’s outer defenses, still held a quiet dignity. They dismounted the wagons and were led into the complex. The noise faded, replaced by the peaceful presence of trees, ponds, and meticulously maintained gardens.
“Captain Takeda!” An old voice rang out from the entrance of one of the main buildings. An elderly man descended the stairs, his eyes bright with curiosity. “It’s been a while. I wasn’t expecting new recruits so soon.”
Takeda bowed deeply. “Grandmaster Hong! The honor is mine. I’ve brought this batch for evaluation.”
The Grandmaster’s eyes sparkled as he assessed the group. Mei felt his gaze linger on her, making her shift slightly. He reminded her of Mr. Itakura back in her village, radiating the same steady strength and wisdom.
“Wonderful! We’ve only just begun with this month’s recruits,” the Grandmaster said, his voice warm with anticipation. Mei’s heart beat faster as she remembered all she’d heard of magic and its mysteries. Here was her chance, a door to the world she had only glimpsed in tales.
“Now, children, follow me,” the Grandmaster instructed.
Without hesitation, Mei clenched her fists, steeling herself. Her father’s advice echoed in her mind—seize every opportunity. Holding her head high, she stepped forward, ready to embrace the future that awaited her.